Paddle and method of making the same



June 4, 1963" w. WISBROD 3,0 ,7

PADDLE AND METHOD OF MAKlNG -THE SAME Filed May 10. 196I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v F: e. '5 INVENTOR. Fl G. 2. W\\.\.\AM WISBROD e. Ziown Ma? Juiie 4, 1963 w. WISBROD 3,091,781

PADDLE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Fflad May 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,091 781 PADDLE AND METHQD F MAKING THE SAlVlE William Wisbrod, Wilmette, 13L, assignor to Norton Manufacturing Corp., Chicago, Ill, a corporation of Illinois Filed May 10, 1961, Ser. No. 109,190 6 (Ilaims. (Cl. 9-24) This invention relates to a paddle or oar used to propel canoes, boats, or the like, and a method of making the same.

More particularly, it relates to a novel paddle of hollow construction which is positively assured against the leaking of water into the hollow portions thereof, but which will be always sufliciently sturdy to assure long life in service.

According to the prior art practices as exemplified by the patent to Swensen et al., No. 2,527,040, hollow pad dles generally have been formed of two matching shelllike sections, which sections are joined to each other by soldering, riveting, or other well-known securing means. In such structures, after a short period of use, due to the tremendous amount of twist or torque to which a paddle is subjected the joined sections tend to separate, at least to a degree suflicient to permit water to enter into the hollow portions, thereby causing the paddle to become water filled and heavy, eliminating the floating quality and rendering it impractical for further use. Furthermore, paddles of this type are expensive to manufacture and, because it is diflicult to maintain uniform Weight in the securing means, the paddle is often out of balance, thus impairing its efiiciency and requiring extra efifort by the user.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a metallic paddle of hollow construction which is waterproof, always air tight, and wherein the floating quality of the paddle cannot be destroyed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paddle wherein the loom portion is used to reinforce the hollow blade, and which is held immovable in said hollow blade in a fixed determined plane.

Still another important object of the invention is to incorporate a plastic foam within the hollow portion of the paddle blade, such foam having adhesive qualities and being water insoluble, to increase the strength of the blade, assist in retaining the loom in its fixed predetermined posi tion, and to enhance and retain the floating quality of the paddle.

Yet another object of the invention is to devise a handle for the paddle so shaped as to afford a convenient grip by the user, which handle is removably secured in its required position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collar slidably fitted on the loom, and which is adapted to lock onto the blade to provide decorative securing means for the blade and the loom.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a light weight metallic paddle or oar which cannot become water clogged, which retains its balance, which is simple and economical in structure, and will give long years of service.

The foregoing and other object and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a face view of a paddle embodying a preferred form of the invention, partly broken away to illustrate the structure;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a face view of the paddle broken away to show the structural elements and with the foam omitted;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hollow paddle blade partially broken away to show the foam in liquid state filling the hollow cavity before the loom is inserted therein;

. verse flat oval cross section of the FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 1, illustrating the cylindrical neck of the paddle blade;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross sectional views taken on lines 6-6 and 7'7, respectively, of FIG. 1, showing the transblade and the position of the loom therein;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line '8-8 of FIG. '1 showing the loom in a wedge fit with the inner surfaces of the blade;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the loom and handle before assembly, showing the ferrule fitted on the loom; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the (ferrule showing the locking notches formed therein.

Describing the invention in detail, generally designated 2 in the drawings, comprises ablade portion 4-, a loom portion 6, and a handle 8. The blade and loom port-ions may be made of any light weight material, such as aluminum or magnesium, although it has been found that aluminum gives very satisfactory results. The handle 8 may be formed of wood, plastic, or other desired material.

The forming of the blade portion 4, which is one of the important features of the present invention, is accomplished in the following manner. The surface of a sheet of selected material is first silk screened with a predeter mined design, the screening covering the entire design.

area. A second sheet of material is over the first mentioned sheet, with the screened area in between the two sheets. The two sheets are then conducted through rollers where they are subjected to the pressure of a bonding process (not a part of this invention) which causes the metal to flow and the molecules of the separate sheets to so intermingle as to form a single sheet of material except over that area which had previously been screened. Hydraulic pressure is then used to separate the two sheets at the screened area.

Due to the design of the screen, and by control of the then superimposed hydraulic pressure, the separated sheets are made to for-In a unitary hollow structure, which constitutes the blade of the paddle. As shown in FIG. 2, the blade is formed with two symmetrical, opposed, outwardly convex 'side walls or faces 10 and .12 united at their coincident edges '14, and having a transverse, substantially flat, oval cross section throughout the major portion, beginning at the tip. At its upper end the blade 4 is provided with an elongated shank or neck =16 and a neck opening 17, said neck opening 17 being of substantially cylindrical section, and a tapered portion 18, said tapered portion '18 merging with said flat, oval cross section as shown in FIG. 4. The neck opening 17 and the tapering portion 18 are adapted to receive and retain the lower end 19 of the loom 6 which is pressed into the hollow blade 4 and which is deformed by such pressure to provide osoulating surfaces to coincide with the inner surfaces of the side walls 10 and 12 to reinforce and strengthen the blade 4.

After the hollow structure has been shaped to the desired form, the surrounding metal is trimmed, leaving a flange 20 around its entire perimeter. The flange 20, by reason of the pressure process above described, is a single sheet of metal and may be made to any desired width, care being exercised to provide a flange sufliciently large to avoid any possibility of destroying or impairing the tightly impervious character of the hollow structure or blade 4. The flange 20 also serves to perform a second function which will hereinafter be explained.

The loom portion 6 comprises a hollow, tubular member 21 of desired length, and is also made of metal similar to the material used for the blade 4. The circumference of the tubular member 21 is slightly larger in size than the opening 17 of the neck 16. The tubular member 21 is provided with a ferrule or collar 22 having opposed notches 24 formed therein for purposes hereinafter shown.

the novel paddle,

Said ferruleis slidably press fitted on the member 21 to permit positioning of the ferrule on the member.

The handle 8 is preferably formed to fit the hand of the user. It is provided with a lower wedge portion 26 adapted to be pressfitted into the upper end of the tubular member 21, and is further secured in position by the pin 27 extending through the opening 28, as shown in FIG. 3. It is evident, however, that other wellknown securing means may be employed. A flare or signal flag 30- may, if desired, be inserted in the tubular member 21, said fiare being removably attached to the base or wedge portion 26 of the handle 8 for use in any emergency.

Although it has been found that when the loom portion 6 is pressed into the hollow blade 4, with the lower end reinforcing the side walls 10 and 12 (as shown in FIG. 3), there is provided a satisfactory and efficient paddle, this invention contemplates other novel means to enhance the strength and waterproof qualities of the paddle 2. The means employed for such purpose is the use of a quick curing, tenacious, plastic foam 32 to fill the hollow blade 4 and the neck 16 before the lower end of the tubular member 21 is inserted therein. Such foam preferably is water insoluble to increase the floating qualities of the paddle, and has adhesive qualities to assist in retaining the loom in its fixed predetermined position.

In assembling the novel paddle, the hollow blade 4 is first filled with the quick curing, tenacious, plastic foam 32. While such plastic foam is still in liquid state, the

lower end 19 of the tubular member 21 is inserted into the neck opening 17 of the blade 4 and forced into the blade cavity by pressure. Because the circumference of the tube member 21 is slightly larger than the circumference of the neck opening 17, as previously described, the walls of said neck opening must be slightly stretched to afford entry of the tube member, thereby creating an extremely tight press fit between the respective walls of the neck and the tube member. As the member 21 is continued to be pressed downwardly into the oval cavity of the blade 4, the walls of the lower end of the member 21 are distorted (FIG. 3) and form osculating surfaces lying tangent to the interior faces of the side walls 10 and 12 along the minor midplane of the blade 4. The osculating surfaces so formed serve as a reinforcement portion 34 for the sides of the blades. Thus the walls of said reinforcement portion are, by pressure, made to conform to the interior face walls of the blade 4 and fit between said walls with a wedge fit throughout the entire length of the blade, as is clearly shown in FIG. 8. It has been found that best results are obtained when the lower end 19 of the loom 6 abuts against the lower tip of the blade interior, as shown in FIG. 1. However. any degree of penetration of the. member 21 into the neck or the interior of blade 4 is deemed to be within the purview of the present invention.

When the foam 32 is cured, it fills the entire cavity of blade 4 and neck 16. By reason of its tenacious and adhesive properties, it grips and clings to the reinforced portion 34, and thus assists in its secure position.

After the blade 4 and loom 6 are assembled as de scribed, the ferrule 2-2 is moved to the lower end of the loom, and the notches 24 are press fitted into flange on both sides of the blade 4, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. It may be seen that the ferrule 22 performs a double function. It locks the loom 6 to blade 4 and provides a decorative collar to conceal the joint between the blade and the loom. When the ferrule 22 is fitted in place, the handle 8 is secured at the upper end of the member 21, and the novel oar is then ready for service.

The use of plastic foam to fill the cavity of blade 4' is one of the important aspects of the present invention.

The cured foam adds sufficient strength and buoyancy to.

the paddle so that, if desired, the'reinforcing portion 34 of the loom 6 may be dispensed with, in whole or in part,

and the loom may be joined to the blade by any conventlonal means, such as threading or the like. When such structure is employed, the loom may be detached from the blade, if desired, for storage purposes. It has been found that when a detachable loom is used, or even if through accident or carelessness, the walls of the blade are punctured by a nail or other instrument, the foam will not permit the entry of sufiicient water into the blade cavity to impair to any appreciable degree the utility of the paddle. Any suitable plastic foam having tenacious adhering qualities, and which is not water absorbent, may be used. A polyurethane of sufiicient density has been employed with very satisfactory results.

Thus there is provided a craft propelling metal paddle or oar which is economical to manufacture, sturdy and long lasting in use, and which is suiliciently buoyant so that it 'will float upon the water.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to specific embodiments of structure, it will be understood nevertheless that numerous modifications and variations are susceptible of being incorporated without departing from the essential spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended for any understanding of this invention to be limited by the foregoing description, nor by the illustrations in the annexed drawings, except as indicated in the herein appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. A craft propelling paddle or the like, comprising a blade consisting of two symmetrical opposed outwardly convex side walls of shape retaining sheet material united at their coincident edges to form a unitary hollow structure having a transverse substantially fiat oval cross section throughout the major portion thereof beginning at the tip of the blade, the remainder of the blade having a shank of cylindrical cross section merging with said flat oval cross section, a loom comprising a manipulating portion extending beyond said shank and a hollow reinforcing portion extending into the interior of the blade substantially the entire length thereof, said reinforcing portion being conformed to lie tangent to the interior face of each side wall along the minor midplane of the blade and fitting between the same with a wedge fit, and means further securing said loom with respect to said blade.

2. A craft propelling paddle or the like according to claim 1, wherein the blade is provided with a flat marginal flange along its entire perimeter.

3. A craft propelling paddle or the like, comprising a blade consisting of two symmetrical opposed outwardly convex side walls of shape retaining sheet material united at their coincident edges to form a unitary hollow structure having a transverse substantially oval cross section throughout the major portion thereof beginning at the tip of the blade, the remainder of the blade having a shank of cylindrical cross section merging with said flat oval cross section, a plastic foam incorporated in and filling said hollow structure, a loom comprising a manipulating portion extending beyond said shank, and a hollow reinforcing portion extending into the interior of the foam filled hollow blade substantially the entire length thereof, said reinforcing portion being conformed to lie tangent to the interior face of each side wall of the blade along the minor midplane of said blade and fitting between said side walls with a wedge fit.

4. A method of constructing a craft'propelling paddle or the like, comprising the steps of forming a hollow blade portion of desired shape, said blade portion having a shank of cylindrical cross section, then pressing a hollow loom portion into the interior of said blade substantially the entire length thereof thereby deforming said loom portion from acircular cross section fitting to a fittlng P nding to the shank and side walls of the blade to form a press fit between the interior side Walls of said blade and the walls of the loom portion enclosed within said blade.

5. A craft propelling paddle or the like, comprising a unitary hollow body made of metal or the like, said body having two symmetrically opposed outwardly convex faces united at their coincident edges to form a paddle blade, said body having a substantially transverse oval cross section throughout the major portion thereof, the remainder of said blade having a neck of cylindrical cross section merging with said oval cross section, a flat marginal flange around the entire perimeter of said blade, a plastic foam incorporated into and filling said hollow body and neck, a loom for said paddle, a portion of said loom extending into the entire length of the foam filled blade to act as a reinforcement for said blade and a portion extending beyond said blade to provide a manipulating portion, said reinforcing portion being conformed to lie tangent to the interior face of each of said outwardly convex faces and fitting between said faces with a wedge fit, a notched ferrule slidably fitted on the manipulating portion of said loom, said notches being adapted to be press fitted with the flat marginal flange on said blade, and a handle secured to the upper end of said loom.

6. A craft propelling paddle or the like, comprising a blade consisting of two opposed outwardly convex side walls of shape retaining sheet material united at their coincident edges to form a unitary hollow structure having a transverse substantially flat oval cross section throughout the major portion thereof beginning at the tip of the blade, the remainder of the blade having a shank of cylindrical cross section merging with said flat oval cross section, the blade having a flat marginal flange along its entire perimeter, a loom comprising a manipu lating portion extending beyond said shank and a reinforcing portion extending into the interior of the blade substantially the entire length thereof, said reinforcing portion being conformed to lie tangent to the interior face of each side wall along the minor midplane of the blade and fitting between the same with a wedge fit, and a ferrule having notches therein adapted to be press fitted with the fiat marginal flange on the blade and further securing said loom with respect to said blade.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,034 Green Feb. 22, 1887 738,053 Murdock Sept. 1, 1903 1,661,289 Holder Mar. 6, 1928 1,740,560 Andrews Dec. 24, 1929 1,817,414 Korth Apr. 4, 1931 2,344,652 Spanner Mar. 21, 1944 2,506,370 Ieyda Mar. 2, 1950 2,527,040 Swenson Oct. 24, 1950 2,543,879 Stuckey Mar. 6, 1951 2,566,023 Gagnon Aug. 28, 1951 2,653,139 Sterling Sept. 22, 1953 2,655,485 Hoffman Oct. 13, 1953 2,711,547 Bliven June 28, 1955 

1. A CRAFT PROPELLING PADDLE OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A BLADE CONSISTING OF TWO SYMMETRICAL OPPOSED OUTWARDLY CONVEX SIDE WALLS OF SHAPE RETAINING SHEET MATERIAL UNITED AT THEIR COINCIDENT EDGES TO FORM A UNITARY HOLLOW STRUCTURE HAVING A TRANSVERSE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT OVAL CROSS SECTION THROUGHOUT THE MAJOR PORTION THEREOF BEGINNING AT THE TIP OF THE BLADE, THE REMAINDER OF THE BLADE HAVING A SHANK OF CYLINDRICAL CROSS SECTION MERGING WITH SAID FLAT OVAL CROSS SECTION, A LOOM COMPRISING A MANIPULATING PORTION EXTENDING BEYOND SAID SHANK AND A HOLLOW REINFORCING PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE BLADE SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID REINFORCING PORTION BEING CONFORMED TO LIE TANGENT TO THE INTERIOR FACE OF EACH SIDE WALL ALONG THE MINOR MIDPLANE OF THE BLADE AND FITTING BETWEEN THE SAME WITH A WEDGE FIT, AND MEANS FURTHER SECURING SAID LOOM WITH RESPECT TO SAID BLADE.
 4. A METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A CRAFT PROPELLING PADDLE OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF FORMING A HOLLOW BLADE PROTION OF DESIRED SHAPE, SAID BLADE PORTION HAVING A SHANK OF CYLINDRICAL CROSS SECTION, THEN PRESSING A HOLLOW LOOM PORTION INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID BLADE SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF THEREBY DEFORMING 